In 2011, 119,000 tons of quality fruit were exported at a value of USD$76 million, stated a report of the Ministry of Communication for the Presidency.
The slight improvement in average export prices, triggered the fall in the total value, it was not as pronounced as in volume (-10% in dollars and -20% in tons). Prospects for 2012 are good, according to a citrus survey prepared by the MGAP, included in OPYPA´s yearbook.
With regard to the destination, the European Union (74%): in particular the Netherlands, Spain and the UK are the main importers of fresh fruit with varying importance depending on the species. Followed in order of importance: Russia (8.2%), Brazil (7.8%), Saudi Arabia (3.9%), Canada (2.7%) and 15 other countries with inconsequential amounts (3.4%).
The estimate of total production, by the 2011 Fall Citrus survey, is 270 thousand tons, 14% lower (-45 tons) than the harvest of 2010. Lower production was due to the lack of water during the wine critic flowering, fruit set and enlargement, said the state report.
Source: Upi